The Detroit Pistons have officially announced that Joe Dumars is out as the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager following another disappointing season. The team will begin an immediate search for Dumars replacement.
The following announcement was posted on the team’s website.
“Joe Dumars is a great champion who has meant so much to this franchise and this community,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “We are turning the page with great respect for what he has accomplished not only as a player and a front office executive, but as a person who has represented this team and the NBA with extraordinary dignity.”
During the transition, Director of Basketball Operations Ken Catanella and Assistant General Manager George David will continue preparing for the upcoming NBA Draft and free agency signing period, reporting to ownership executives Phil Norment and Bob Wentworth. Mr. Norment said the organization has developed a preliminary list of candidates that includes “the best executives in the business,” but he declined to place a specific timetable on selecting a replacement.
Mr. Dumars will continue his relationship with the franchise as an advisor to the organization and its ownership team.
“It’s time to turn the page on a wonderful chapter and begin writing a new one,” Dumars said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great people throughout the last 29 years as both a player and executive, and I’m proud of our accomplishments. Tom Gores and ownership is committed to winning and they will continue to move the franchise forward.”
Dumars has spent 14 years as the Pistons general manager and led them to the 2004 NBA Championship. It was Dumars third championship, as he helped Detroit to two NBA Championships in the 1980s as a player. His number is also retired by the team.
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